If you're looking for a "go-to" fellow for information regarding Florida wildlife hunting rules and regulations, then writer Tony Young is the person you want to see.
Tony's vast knowledge of hunting in Florida as well as his hands-on experience will provide you with valuable information for your next hunting trip. Whether you are an eager beginner or a seasoned hunter with many wild game mounts on your wall, you can benefit from Tony's many articles. So sit back, take note, and enjoy these interesting reads!
Outta' the Woods
Hunting articles by Tony Young, the media relations coordinator for the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Division of Hunting and Game Management. You can reach him with questions about hunting or see more hunting articles at Tony.Young@MyFWC.com.
Deer hunting still goin’ strong in Zone D BY: Tony Young, FWC February, 2012
It seems the deer in my neck of the woods have been a lot more nocturnal than usual, and my hunting season has been pitiful thus far. As I type this, I have harvested only one deer. Now I did shoot a nice fall gobbler sporting an 11-inch beard on my 2/3-acre Sopchoppy River lot, but that hardly counted, since I was really tryin’ to get a doe during Zone D’s antlerless deer season. More . . .
Wild hogs – nuisance or hunting opportunity? BY: Tony Young, FWC January, 2012
The white-tailed deer is the most popular game animal pursued each winter by Florida's more than 200,000 hunters. But, there's another big-game species that's hunted quite a bit too and is especially popular with hunters in the southern and central parts of the state: the wild hog. More . . .
December’s traditions include holiday hunting BY: Tony Young, FWC December, 2011
There’s finally a chill and certain festiveness in the air as most of us try to take time off from work to enjoy spending quality time with family and friends and reflect on the passing year. Children will be out of school on winter break soon, and while the holiday season is upon us, so are several traditional hunting opportunities. More . . .
Give thanks for hunting opportunities BY: Tony Young, FWC November, 2011
November means the 2011-12 huntin’ season’s in full swing. In this month’s column, I cover most everything you need to know about general gun, fall turkey, quail and gray squirrel, snipe and the second phase of mourning and white-winged dove seasons. More . . .
Huntin’ season is crankin’ up! BY: Tony Young, FWC October, 2011
Football season is in full swing, and the 2011-12 hunting season is cranking up. Heck, in Zone A, they’re already into general gun season. But for the rest of us, I’d like to cover the rules and regulations regarding two hunting seasons that are just around the corner: muzzleloading gun and the first phase of dove.. More . . .
Crossbow Season Expanded on Private Lands BY: Tony Young, FWC September, 2011
Bowhunting continues to be popular in our state. Beginning this year, even more folks are bound to take to the woods earlier, because on private lands, crossbow season has been extended; it now opens the same day as archery in each of the four hunting zones. More . . .
Take Hunter Safety Class and Get Ready for Opening Day! BY: Tony Young, FWC August, 2011
With the dog days of summer upon us, it’s hard to think about hunting. But if you’re between the ages of 16 and 36, and haven’t yet taken the state’s hunter safety class – now’s just the time to be thinking about it. Many of these classes, offered statewide, fill up fast during hunting season while people scramble to get certified. Summer months offer smaller class sizes and offer a better opportunity for students to attend, because they often have more free time then. More . . .
Join the Dove Club BY: Tony Young, FWC July, 2011
To me, the best part about hunting is not harvesting game – but spending quality time outdoors with friends and family. One of the best ways to do that is through dove hunting, which is one reason why great dove hunts are in such high demand but often difficult to find. More . . .
Apply for quota permits June 1-30, 2011 BY: Tony Young, FWC June, 2011
Every hunter knows you have the best chance of catching a monster buck off-guard during the first part of hunting season. That's why many of us enjoy hunting the archery and muzzleloading gun seasons - and why we can't miss opening weekend of the general gun season.. More . . .
Deer hunting still goin' strong in Zone D BY: Tony Young, FWC February, 2011
Hunting season has been pretty good so far. I shot a 170-pound 7 point and a doe during Zone C's doe week. Then, I shot another doe on the first day of Zone D's antlerless deer season. What made that hunt special was that I took it off some property I have on the Sopchoppy River that's less than an acre in size! And, it was the very first time I ever even hunted it since I bought the 70-foot-wide lot in 2005, making it the first deer I ever harvested on land I own. More . . .
December's traditions BY: Tony Young, FWC December, 2010
There’s finally a chill and a certain festiveness in the air as most of us try to take time off from work to enjoy spending quality time with family and friends and reflect on the passing year. Children will be out of school on winter break soon, and while the holiday season is upon us, so are several traditional hunting opportunities.
More . . .
Give thanks for hunting seasons galore BY: Tony Young, FWC November, 2010
November means the 2010-11 huntin’ season’s in full swing. In this month’s column, I cover most everything you need to know about general gun, fall turkey, quail and gray squirrel, snipe and the second phase of mourning and white-winged dove season.
More . . .
Huntin’ season is crankin’ up! BY: Tony Young, FWC October 2010
Football season is in full swing, and the 2010-11 hunting season is starting to crank up. Heck, in Zone A, they’re already into general gun season! But for the rest of us, I’d like to cover the rules and regulations regarding three hunting seasons that are just around the corner – crossbow, muzzleloading gun and the first phase of dove. More . . .
Archery Season - Get Your Hunt On! BY: Tony Young, FWC September 2010
Even though you can hardly tell, summer is officially over. Kids have returned to school, and hunting season’s already been going on for a month now in South Florida. Finally, the time of year we’ve been waiting for is upon us – the beginning of archery season. More . . .
Register for hunter safety and get ready for opening day! BY: Tony Young, FWC
August 2010
With dog-days of summer fully upon us, it's hard to think about hunting. But if you're between the ages of 16 and 35, and haven't completed the state's hunter safety course requirement, now's the time to be thinking about it. If you've been putting off taking a hunter safety class, August is the best time to sign up for one in your area. More . . .
Join the Dove ClubBY: Tony Young, FWC
July 2010
To me, the best part about hunting is not harvesting game but spending quality time in the outdoors with friends and family. One of the best ways to do just that is through dove hunting.
More . . .
Quota Permit Hunts - Apply June 1-30, 2010BY: Tony Young
June 2010
Every hunter knows you have the best chance of catching a monster buck off-guard during the first part of hunting season. That’s why many of us enjoy hunting the archery and muzzleloading gun seasons – and why we can’t miss opening weekend of the general gun season.
More . . .
Up your odds with a special-opportunity huntBY: Tony Young
May 2010
If you haven't been seeing the quantity or quality of game you'd like, you may want to consider applying for a special-opportunity hunt. For the past 13 years, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has offered these unique fall-season hunts for deer, wild hog and released quail on the state's best public hunting lands. Maybe it's time you look into getting in on the action and experience the hunt of a lifetime.
More . . .
Ducks – more than they’re quacked up to be BY: Tony Young
March 29, 2010
Well, I hope all you turkey hunters in the South Hunting Zone took a nice bird or two this year, as your season is coming to a close. For those of us in the rest of the state, we still have until April 25 to bag us a good long-beard. But after spring gobbler season, there’s really not much hunting to talk about, so I’d like to tell you about another bird – one that needs our help.
More . . .
Talkin' Turkey By: Tony Young
March, 2010
If you haven't already started, it's time to brush up on your turkey calling, 'cause spring gobbler season's here. Whether you prefer to use a mouth call, box call, slate or any combination, March means it's time to start talkin' turkey. More . . .
Not so fast! Deer season's not over yet By: Tony Young
February 2010
Thus far, this deer season has been pretty good to me as far as quantity goes. I shot two does during doe week, and I got my season limit on fall gobblers, but I have yet to even see horns, much less harvest a buck. But I still have plenty of room left in my freezer, and I'm not throwing in the towel just yet. After all, there are still lots of hunting days left in my neck of the woods, and my game camera's still taking pictures of some pretty good bucks. More hunting articles . . .
That Coon Dog'll Hunt By: Tony Young
January 2010
Some of my huntin’ buddies and I really live for being out in a wet patch of woods in the middle of a cool night and hearing the not-so-distant sounds of our coon hounds when they open up on a hot trail. There’s just something about those hounds’ voices that sounds both pleasing and eerie at the same time. More hunting articles. . . .